She writes, according to the Guardian, that the tale was included to show her willingness to do anything “difficult, messy and ugly” if it has to be done.

In a forthcoming book, the South Dakota governor, seen as a potential vice-presidential pick, tells of shooting her hunting dog. And a goat.

Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota on Friday defended a story included in her forthcoming biography in which she describes killing a family dog on their farm, to her daughter’s distress – a grisly anecdote that instantly drew criticism from a number of political opponents.